Serena Woods stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, relieved that her eyes didn't give away the pounding that was happening behind them. She would have splashed some water on her face, but her mother surely would have had some kind of adverse medical reaction if she so much as thought of smudging her carefully applied makeup. Perhaps a heart attack, or maybe a stroke.

Serena probably should have eaten more than just the bite-sized appetizer at dinner, but with her mother sitting right next to her, it just hadn't been possible to dig into the main course. Let alone with the gusto the poor salmon had deserved.

So here she was, in the tiny designer dress selected and purchased by her mother, with another fierce headache that was undoubtedly due to her mother's obsession over the past few weeks with making sure Serena fit into her dress tonight without a hitch.

Serena sighed and finished washing her hands, then headed out into the ballroom where the charity event was in full swing. Not that her treacherous thoughts would have ever made it into words, but she seriously hated being dragged along like a show pony. Her mother always insisted on looking like a perfect little family. The only reason most people even donated to these charities was solely for optics, not because they actually cared or were passionate about the causes.

Serena fully supported the causes, but she hated the events themselves. The only upside for her was watching the guests arrive, taking in the beautiful designer attire and silently evaluating whether or not she thought each designer would approve.

Tonight's event was in support of a local social services agency her parents had supported for several years. Serena and her sister had even done some volunteer work for the agency back in high school, and it made Serena happy to see that this year's attendance numbers had shattered the previous year's record. Apparently some famous band had recorded their own music video for a new song, saving a sizable amount of money in the process. The band had then donated all of the proceeds to the foundation.

Plans had been made for the video to be premiered later tonight, and some of the band members were even rumored to be making an appearance. Serena didn't know who they were even though her mother had mentioned the name on their way to the gala, but it hadn't seemed familiar. All the same, she was grateful for what they had done for the foundation. The increased interest in the event was undoubtedly due to the band, so whoever they were, they were going to make many underprivileged and homeless children very, very happy.

Serena made her way across the ballroom as her blue eyes darted back and forth, seeking out her parents. She couldn't wait to leave. Her headache was getting worse, and she really just wanted to get home, take some aspirin, and maybe call Bryan.

Bryan. Butterflies in her stomach started fluttering at the thought of her fiancé and what tomorrow might hold for them. They had been dating for about eighteen months when he had popped the question roughly six months ago. It hadn't been entirely unexpected, as he had really been starting to come into his own at the exclusive law firm that employed him. A shiny new wife was the next step in the plan.

She had accepted his proposal eagerly, despite the fact that with his increasing success, the more arrogant and flashy he had become. She figured it was just a phase he was going through, and that once they were married next year, he would settle down again. He'd been working so hard, he'd been unable to attend the gala with her tonight.

She felt he'd been very patient with her, considering they had been dating just under two years and they hadn't yet consummated their relationship. Tomorrow, however, they would be spending the whole day together, with her staying over at his place for the first time. She hoped that wouldn't be the only thing she would be doing for the first time...

“Serena,” her mother's voice rang out just ahead of her. “Where have you been? I would like you to meet Dr. and Mrs. Kent. They're on the board for the foundation.” Clearly these people were important to her mother, as her usually narrowed eyes were now wide with excitement. Serena turned to face a kind-looking elderly couple. “Nice to meet you,” she said as she extended her hand politely. “Serena Woods.” They muttered pleasantries as she turned her attention back to her mother. “Mom, I know it's still early, but my head is killing me, so I'm just going to head home.”

Her mother's narrowed eyes moved firmly back into place at her statement, but obviously she didn't want to cause a scene in front of the Kents, so she simply nodded and air-kissed her cheek as she mumbled, “Feel better, sweetheart. We'll see you in the morning.” Her dad just nodded goodbye, engrossed in his conversation with the good Dr. Kent.

She didn't see her sister, so she decided to head out without saying goodbye. Knowing her sister, she was probably off in some corner making out with the next Mr. Right. And her sister wouldn't have wanted to risk their mother's wrath getting caught doing something so very inappropriate in a public place, so she doubted her sister would be easy to find.

She had ridden here with her family, so she'd have to hail a cab outside the hotel to get home, which was actually kind of an exciting thought for her.

She was so lost in thought at the prospect that she made a wrong turn somewhere, and was now on a balcony on what she figured was the completely wrong side of the hotel. Damn. She looked around for a map denoting her current position, but there were none to be found. There was, however, a man on the balcony with his back to her, although he had started turning around as soon as she had stumbled onto the balcony.

Holy hell. She may have been engaged, but she wasn't blind, and the man that stood in front of her was by far the most handsome person she had ever set eyes on. He had long, curly dark hair that fell to his shoulders, and although she couldn't make out the color of his eyes in the low light, she could feel them piercing her own. His full lips were set in a thin line. He was wearing a dark suit that looked custom tailored, with tattoos on one hand, winding into the sleeve of his shirt. He seemed to be taking her in, drawing her in with a magnetic field that made every hair on her body stand on end, and her stomach feel warm. Well, this was awkward. And definitely not something she felt she should be experiencing with a man who wasn't her fiancé.

“Excuse me, I didn't mean to interrupt. I must have made a wrong turn from the fundraiser.” At that, she turned without waiting for him to say anything in return, and hurriedly made her way down the hallway, her face burning with humiliation.